North Carolina
Revised regulation: How did firearm restrictions change in North Carolina in 2023?
The debate surrounding current gun control laws has become an undeniable focal point in American politics, sparking complex discussions and challenging the nation’s leaders to navigate the intersection of rights and regulations.
Wilmington is no exception to this dialogue. Braver Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to political depolarization, hosted a bipartisan discussion about gun control at the Pine Valley Library in early December.
Gun control debates persist as an election year approaches. Staying informed about the current state of gun legislation, both cross-nationally and more specifically within North Carolina, is crucial.
With this in mind, an essential question arises: how did firearm legislation change in North Carolina in 2023?
A repeal of pistol purchase permits.
In March of 2023, North Carolina legislature overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41 (SB-41), altering the necessary permit requirements and background checks needed to purchase a handgun in North Carolina.
Previously, a $5 pistol purchase permit received from the sheriff’s office in the county from which the gun owner resides was needed in order to acquire a handgun.
This process also allowed for local law enforcement to conduct background checks and confirm the intent of purchase was for “the protection of the home, business, person, family, or property,” “target shooting,” “collecting” or “hunting,” according to G.S. 14-404.
The new law eliminated these registration requirements.
However, gun stores will still need to run a background check on the purchaser’s name before finalizing the transaction and the required ATF form 4473, a Firearms Transaction Record Form, has not been removed by the law.
Federally licensed gun stores have access to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to complete this process.
Widened constraints on concealed carry rights.
Section 1 of SB-41 became effective on Dec. 1, 2023.
This section authorizes “concealed carry permit holder to carry firearms on certain school properties at certain times,” according to SB-41.
Amendments to this section allow for concealed carry permit holders to carry a concealed handgun into educational properties that “are the location of a school and a building that is a place of religious worship” outside of school operating hours.
School operating hours are defined by the bill as anytime during which any the following occur:
- “The premises are being used for curricular or extracurricular activities.”
- “The premises are being used for educational, instructional, or school-sponsored activities.”
- “The premises are being used for programs for minors by entities not affiliated with the religious institution.”
Properties owned by local boards of education of county commissions, public and private institutes of higher education, and premises with posted notices prohibiting possession of firearms are excluded.
Additionally, effective July 1, 2023, “a person employed by a law enforcement agency” but who is “not a law enforcement officer sworn and certified” can carry a concealed handgun in certain law enforcement and correctional facilities.
General firearm regulations in North Carolina.
Manning Law Firm, PLLC., of Raleigh, provides a summary of the current basic gun laws statewide.
The North Carolina-based criminal defense law firm indicates that anyone 18 or older with no prior felony convictions can legally open carry in North Carolina, without limitations to the caliber size of magazine capacity of the firearm.
Concealed carry is only permitted with a permit issued by the local sheriff’s office. Firearm owners must be 21 years of age, complete a minimum eight-hour training course, and not have a mental or physical disability preventing the safe handling of a firearm, amongst other law requirements in order to carry a concealed weapon.
More information about where it is permissible to carry a firearm, firearm purchase restrictions, and requirements to inform law enforcement of firearm possession can be found on its webpage at manninglaw.com.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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